The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Football Federation

  • Mikel: We are keen to finish what we started

    Mikel: We are keen to finish what we started

    Mikel John Obi- led Super Eagles arrived Yaounde on Sunday afternoon for Monday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

    A statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Sunday quoted Mikel as saying that the team was keen on consolidating on Friday’s 4-0 victory over Cameroon in Uyo.

    Nigeria achieved its highest win ever over Cameroon with the thumping of the Lions on Friday, but Mikel said he was aware the wounded Lions would want to salvage some pride.

    “We are just very keen to finish what we started. We started a job in Uyo and it is time to finish it.

    “If we can pick the World Cup ticket by Monday, why wait any longer? We are all very confident because we know our ability and what we are ready to bring to the party.

    “We are as hungry, perhaps, even more hungry than they are. It will be a tough affair but we will give our very best to take the three points.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria could become the first African team to earn a slot in Russia as early as Tuesday.

    The Eagles will qualify if they defeat the Cameroonians on Monday in Yaounde and Zambia fails to beat Algeria at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida on Tuesday.

    Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has 23 fit players to select from, with goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Dele Ajiboye and Dele Alampasu.

    Also are defenders Uche Agbo, Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile, Ola Aina, Leon Balogun, William Ekong, Tyronne Ebuehi and Chidozie Awaziem.

    Midfielders Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Mikel Agu, are also in contention for the game.

    The forwards include Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo, Moses Simon, Anthony Nwakaeme and Kelechi Iheanacho.

    At the Hilton Hotel on Sunday to receive the Nigerian team was Cameroon’s Minister of Sport, Bidoung Mpaktt, who chatted briefly with NFF President Amaju Pinnick.

    FIFA has appointed respected Senegalese official Bakary Papa Gassama as the referee for Monday’s encounter.

    Gassama is to be assisted by Jean Claude Birumushahu from Burundi (Assistant 1), Marwa Aden Range from Kenya (Assistant 2) and Maudo Jallow from Gambia (Reserve Referee).

    Osama Hassan from Sudan will be match Commissioner at the game which will kick off 6 p.m.

  • Dalung lauds Super Eagles for Cameroon’s 4-0 defeat

    Dalung lauds Super Eagles for Cameroon’s 4-0 defeat

    The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has applauded the Super Eagles for their Friday’s massive 4-0 triumph over visiting Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo.

    The team will receive N20 million for the four goals scored following the Federal Government’s promise to reward every strike with N5 million during a pep talk before the game.

    Dalung thanked the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the team for not letting Nigerians down knowing the importance of qualifying for the World Cup in Russia next year.

    “The NFF has been on its toes to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify for the next World Cup.

    “You worked very hard for this victory and Nigerians are proud of you for always raising the flag when it matters most.

    “We know the consequences of not being at the World Cup in Russia in 2018,’’ the minister said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Nneka Ikem-Anibeze.

    “We determine the pulse of African sports and set the tune and agenda for Africa in global sports, so, it is very key and critical to us.

    “Moreover, the absence of Nigeria at any international competition always denies the world of the pattern, style and tradition of the Nigerian variety of football.

    “So, we will be going to Russia with another different pattern and style of football.’’

    The minister called on football stakeholders and Nigerians to continue to support the players with their prayers and objective criticisms.

    “The Federal Government will continue to support our players because they have been making so many sacrifices for the country.

    “There is nothing we can do to compensate them for what they have done except to continue to appreciate and celebrate them in this critical journey to Russia,’’ the statement said.

    Nigeria now top Group B with 9 points and will face Cameroon again on Monday at the Stade Omnispirts Ahmadu Ahidjo in Yaoundé at 6 p.m.

  • Eagles play passionately- Pinnick

    Eagles play passionately- Pinnick

    Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has charged the Super Eagles to approach the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Lions of Cameroon in Uyo with a never-say-die mentality.

    The match comes up on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

    Pinnick, in a statement released by Demola Olajire, Head of Communication, NFF, on Thursday, urged the team to commit heart, soul and spirit to the match.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles are topping Group B with six points, from two matches.

    Nigeria is four points ahead of second-placed Cameroon, who have also played two matches.

    Pinnick said: “The much-respected Nigerian spirit that conquers so many adversities will see the three-time African champions through.

    “ But the Eagles must approach the game with a never-say-die mentality at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

    “This is a very crucial match and the players know so.

    “The Cameroonians are not coming here to simply appraise the serenity and beauty of the city of Uyo; they are coming to contest the three points.

    “The Super Eagles must throw everything – their body, heart and spirit – into the game.

    “Those three points are very important to our FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, and I am confident we will get them,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has announced former junior international Ikechukwu Ezenwa and two other former junior international goalkeepers, Dele Ajiboye and Dele Alampasu, as part of the team.

    Mikel John Obi, Victor Moses, Oghenekaro Etebo and John Ogu, Odion Ighalo, Anthony Nwakaeme and Aaron Samuel are in Uyo ready for the match.

    Germany-based Leon Balogun, who missed the clash with South Africa is back and is likely to pair Olympic bronze medallist, William Ekong, in central defence.

    Another Olympic bronze medallist, Abdullahi Shehu, as well as Elderson Echiejile, Tyronne Ebuehi, Uche Agbo and Chidozie Awaziem also available to fortify the defence.

    England-based Wilfred Ndidi and Turkey-based duo of Ogenyi Onazi and Mikel Agu are also available in the midfield, while Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho, are attackers in the team.

    Olajire said that Friday’s match would kick off at 5p.m.

    The return leg is scheduled to hold on Sept. 4, at Stade Omnisports Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde, Cameroun.

  • NFF calls for support ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup

    NFF calls for support ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has stated that everything is set for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to achieve at least four points in the double-header 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier slated for September.

    Pinnick said that all that is needed now is for Nigerians to support the team with prayer and encouragement, as the country hopes to fly its flag at the Mundial.

    Speaking in an interview on Channels Television “Sports Tonight” on Wednesday, Pinnick revealed that he received the loss to South Africa “with a sense of philosophical calmness. The moment we were thinking that the Super Eagles were in high spirit, we experienced that loss. But the good thing is that we have immediately addressed some issue, that’s why there is a new goalkeeper trainer in the team, as well as work in other departments.”

    Pinnick further said “we have already booked the flight that will take the Eagles to Yaounde, after the match in Uyo, accommodation is ready and other logistics. We only appeal for support from Nigerians.”

    The NFF President further pleaded with the club owners and officials to bear with the Federation, and consider making a national sacrifice in releasing players for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers against the Benin Republic.

    “‬We appeal to clubs that have players in the CHAN Eagles to see this as a sacrifice in the interest of the nation. This is a passionate appeal.”

    “The League has done so well in producing these players. Let them go and showcase themselves at the CHAN level.”

    Speaking on officiating in the local league, Pinnick said “I think we are getting there. I will rate the officiating of this season higher than last term, and I also have a dream of having a Nigerian Referee officiate a FIFA World Cup Match.”

    The Home-Based Eagles are currently camping in Kano ahead of the match against the Squirrels on August 13 at the Mathieu Kérékou stadium with the 2nd leg tie a week later at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

  • CAF appoints Pinnick member of emergency committee

    CAF appoints Pinnick member of emergency committee

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has been handed extra duties following his inclusion in the CAF Emergency Committee on Friday.  The decision to include him in the Emergency committee was taken at the just concluded CAF Extraordinary General Assembly holding in Rabat, Morocco. The proposal for his appoint had earlier made but finally rectified at the Assembly. Pinnick  is also President, Organising Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations.

    While CAF standing Committees were reduced from 19 to 11,Fouzi Lekjaa, a member of the CAF Executive Committee was appointed 3rd CAF Vice President even as he retains his positions as president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and President of  the Finance Committee respectively.

    Media information dished out via CAF website announced as follows:

    At the end of the CAF Extraordinary General Assembly held on Friday, 21 July 2017, in Rabat, Morocco, which saw the adoption

    by a large majority (50 votes for and 3 abstentions) for amendment to the organization’s statutes, a meeting of the

    Executive Committee was convened by CAF President Ahmad. This was in order to implement some of the new statutory provisions.

    Fouzi Lekjaa, a member of the CAF Executive Committee was appointed 3rd CAF Vice President. The latter, also president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, retains the post of president of the Finance Committee.

    The number of CAF Standing Committees has been reduced from 19 to 11. The Judicial and Compliance bodies whose presidents are to be elected by the General Assembly have been expanded with the creation of a Governance Committee.

    The CAF Executive Committee also appointed president and vice presidents of the Standing committees, whose members will be appointed in the near future.

    Finance Committee

    President: Fouzi Lekjaa

    Organizing Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations

    President: Amaju Pinnick

    Vice Presidents: Danny Jordaan

    Philip Chiyangwa (President, Southern Zone)

    Organizing Committee for the African Nations Championship

    President: Musa Bility

    Vice Presidents: Rui Da Costa

    douard Ngaissona (President, Central Zone)

    Organizing Committee for Inter-Club Competitions and Management of Club Licensing System

    President: Tarek Bouchamaoui

    Vice President: Ahmed Yahyia

    Mutassim Gaafar (President, Central-East Zone)

    Organizing Committee for Youth Africa Cup of Nations (U-17, U-20, U-23)

    President: Danny Jordaan

    Vice President: Almamy Kabele Camara

    Organizing Committee for Women’s Football

    President: Isha Johanssen

    Vice President: Lydia Nsekera

    Committee for development of Futsal and Beach Soccer

    President: Moses Magogo

    Vice President: Wadie Jary (President, North Zone)

    Referees Committee

    President: Suleiman Waberi

    Vice President: Lim Kee-Chong

    Committee on Legal Affairs and National Associations

    President: Ahmed Yahyia

    Vice Presidents: Augustin Senghor (President, Zone West A)

    Hani Abo Rida

    Medical Committee

    President: Adoum Djibrine

    Vice President: Yacine Zerguini

    Technical and Development Committee

    President: Kalusha Bwalya

    Vice President: Leodegar Tenga

    The CAF Executive Committee also approved the CAF President’s proposal to appoint Amaju Pinnick as a member of the Emergency

    Committee. This follows the enlargement of this structure which is induced by the statutory reform with the creation of the post of 3rd Vice President, who also happens to be the president of the Finance Committee.

    Another major point of the reform of the statutes, which led to the enlargement of the CAF Executive Committee, is that

    African members of the FIFA Council are full members of the CAF Executive Committee, with voting rights.

    The terms of office of the FIFA Council and the CAF Executive Committee are therefore no longer cumulative.

  • Sports management: Fresh wants transparency at all levels

    Sports management: Fresh wants transparency at all levels

     

    Discipline and transparency must be maintained at all levels of sports management if Nigeria is to continue to occupy an enviable position in the continent and beyond.

    This was the submission of Niger State FA Chairman and member of the Nigeria Football Federation Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh.

    Fresh who only few days back ordered the dissolution of local football Association of Rafi Local Government Area for engaging in activities capable of bringing the FA to disrepute, said indiscipline at such local levels if not arrested would grow into a virus that can dent sports at the state, national and international levels.

    The Dissolution which was contained in a letter dated 6th June 2017 with reference Number SPT/SUB/001/Vol iii/2214 and signed by the state FA secretary saidu jagaba‎ said the local FA of Rafi stand dissolved and a caretaker committee has been constituted

    “If we must retain a place of pride in sports as a country, we must arrest indiscipline and unacceptable conducts at all levels of management “he said

    The state FA had earlier lifted the suspension of four members of the local FA after creating a window of reconciliation.

    The decision taken by Fresh to according to him reposition sports in the local government and by extension in the state, is however not being received with open arms in some quarters

    Secretary of Rafi FA Mallam isyaku salihu who did not hesitate to condemn the action, maintained that neither Lifting of the suspension of members nor dissolution of the local FA  followed due process, and called for its immediate reversal.

    “”We call on the FA to up heal the suspension of four members found to be guilty so that the relative peace enjoyed by the FA can continue in the interest of sports.”” He submitted

  • Cash trapped NFF gets N2.5Billion sponsorship bailout

    Cash trapped NFF gets N2.5Billion sponsorship bailout

    The cash-strapped Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has received a financial boost from an energy company worth around US$9.2 million(N2.5Billion) over the next five years.

    The deal with the Aiteo Group will commence on 1 May.

    “This will make it easier for us to plan adequately for our national teams,” NFF boss Amaju Pinnick said.

    “It is important to note that this will also take care of the national team coaches’ salaries.”

    Pinnick hopes that this means no repeats of problems paying national team coaches that has troubled the NFF in the past.

    “There will be no owing of coaches for the next five years,” he added.

    “This lucrative deal with Aiteo will cover all the national teams and has an option of a one-year extension.”

    “We are happy to have a sponsor come in at this crucial time and this is a big boost for our football.”

    Former Nigeria coaches Christian Chukwu, Shaibu Amodu, Samson Siasia,Austin Eguavoen, Sunday Oliseh and the late Stephen Keshi have all previously complained about outstanding salaries in recent years.

  • I will quit if Nigeria fail to qualify for World Cup – Rohr

    I will quit if Nigeria fail to qualify for World Cup – Rohr

    Super Eagles Manager Gernot Rohr has said he is 100 per cent focus to qualify Nigeria for the 2018 World Cup in Russia but in case he failed the country focus he will be left with no option to honour his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Rohr took over as coach of the Nigeria team last year on a two-year deal, which is tied to ensuring that Nigeria is in Russia. The qualification also means an automatic extension of his contract by another two years.

    Failure to qualify Nigeria for the World Cup will leave his future as coach of the team in the hands of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), but the coach on Monday said he will leave the team if they fail to qualify regardless of what the NFF decides.

    Rohr who fielded questions about his future if Nigeria fails to qualify for the World Cup in a live sport program on cable television mornitored on Monday night said;

    “If we fail to win the ticket to be at the World Cup, for me I’ll say goodbye, but at the moment we are hopeful of getting a result against Cameroon, it is a challenge am willing to take. However, if I fail, I’ll leave.”

    Although Nigeria currently leads their World Cup 2018 qualifiers group with four points ahead of their closest challengers Cameroon.

  • NFF owes Super Eagles Manager, Rohr three month salary

    NFF owes Super Eagles Manager, Rohr three month salary

    THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has revealed that the poor state of its finances is the reason the salary of the Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr is being delayed.

    As gathered, the Super Eagles coach has not been paid for the month of January, February and March this year. The German is reportedly on a $45,000 monthly salary.

    A source in the Glasshouse also disclosed that other national team coaches under the employ of NFF are equally not being paid. “Rohr has not been paid for three months now. And there are outstandings due to other national team coaches,” the source said.

    NFF President, Amaju Pinnick confirmed that the federation is broke. “The NFF is broke. But there are modalities on ground to offset the coaches and outstanding incurred by the federation.”
    The NFF president said a meeting said a meeting has been fixed with the Sport Minister, Solomon Dalung for next week over the matter and others.

    One of which is meeting with Minister of sport, Solomon Dalung in an unfixed date next week.
    Recall that in August 2016, when Rohr signed an initial two-year deal to qualify Nigeria for next year’s World Cup, the NFF President said the super eagles coach salary would be financed by an unidentified sponsor.

    Just last week pinnick denied receiving any money from Africa governing football body, CAF, but cleared the air on the 500,000 dollars received by FIFA which was spent on the friendly matches arranged for the Super eagles in London.

    The fund was used to offset the team’s feeding, accommodation, transportation, stadium rental and general logistics.

  • Int’l friendly: Fans decry NFF’s inability to broadcast match live

    Nigerians on Friday took to twitter to vent their anger for the failure of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and television stations to broadcast live the Super Eagles friendly match against Senegal.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fenerbahçe striker Moussa Sow opened scoring in the 53rd minute for the Teranga Lions of Senegal.

    But Manchester City’s youngster Kelechi Iheanacho, rescued a draw for Nigeria when he struck from the spot in the 81st minute.

    Some of the fans who were left fuming after the game also complained about their inability to access a live streaming link which had been shared by some officials of the NFF.

    Justice Prince said on his twitter handle that “such a match like Nigeria vs Senegal wasn’t on TV. Africa’s heavyweight. Isokay. Una #wehdone’’

    Wilson Jnr said: “It’s pathetic, even Supersports didn’t show our match…#NIG VS SEN’’.

    Favour Onyeoziri said: “So, you mean not even one TV station aired the Nigeria vs Senegal match?

    “One website even told me to pay N500 to stream the Nigeria vs Senegal match live. After paying, which network will I use to stream? AT&T?”

    Oma Akatugba said: “I absolutely enjoyed Nigeria vs Senegal but I didn’t watch it.’’

    For Yerekimea Tonbra, “Mr Pinnick just failed his KPI with the Nigeria Vs Senegal match, Nigerians couldn’t watch their national team in action and there was no commentary sef’’.

    Attamah Ifeanyi wrote: “I think it is pathetic considering how huge a football-loving nation Nigeria is. Not even a single TV station covered the Nigeria VS Senegal match!’’.

    Also, John Raul said: “No one in the most populated country in Africa watched the game! Shame #NGASEN.

    Meanwhile, one of the sites platforms which had internet broadcast rights have apologised for its failure to satisfy its clients.

    The apology letter on its site read: “Dear esteemed customers, we regret our inability to broadcast the Nigeria vs Senegal football match which was slated for 9 p.m. Nigerian time on March 23, 2017.

    “This was as a result of technical hitches experienced in getting the signals to us from our London technical partners.

    “Please be assured that full refunds of fees paid on our platform wwwurlivestream.com to watch the match will be paid within the next seven working days.

    “Once again, we are really sorry,’’ it said.